3/3
The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 182
Anna’s POV
I guided Sophie through the place’s back exit, my arm wrapped protectively around her trembling shoulders. The cool night air hit us as we emerged into the dimly lit service alley where I’d parked my car.
“Just a few more steps, I whispered, trying to keep my voice gentle despite the urgency I felt. My car’s right over there.”
Sophie stumbled, nearly collapsing against my side. I can’t… I feel like I’m going to be sick again.”
As I helped Sophie into the passenger seat, I couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at me. We had severely underestimated Charles Windsor’s depravity, and now Sophie was paying the price.
Once inside the car, I turned to her. She sat huddled against the door arms wrapped tightly around herself as if trying to disappear.
“Sophie, are you okay?” I asked, reaching over to touch her arm. She flinched. “If you’re feeling unwell, you need to tell me.”
Her head snapped up, eyes wild and desperate. “Pills. We need to go to a pharmacy. I need the morning–after pill! Right now!”
“Okay, okay,” I nodded, starting the car. “We’ll go to CVS. I’ll get you whatever you need.”
“I need to shower,” she continued, her voice rising hysterically as she clawed at her arms. “Anna, I need to shower! I can feel them all over me. Their smell is everywhere!”
I grabbed her hands to stop her from scratching herself. “Alright, Sophie, calm down. I’ll get you to CVS for the pills, then I’ll take you somewhere safe where you can shower. Just breathe, okay?”
“I can’t go home,” Sophie said, her voice breaking. “Absolutely not. If my parents find out what happened, they’ll kill me! Anna, what am I going to do? Oh my God, what am I going to do!”
She collapsed against me, her body wracked with sobs. I awkwardly patted her back, trying to provide what little comfort I could.
“Why?” she wailed, pulling back to look at me with mascara streaming down her face. “Why would they do this to me?”
“Sophie, please try to calm down,” I said, squeezing her hand. “We’ll get your medication first, then I’ll take you to a hotel. I’ll stay with you the whole time. I won’t leave you alone.”
She clutched my arm desperately. “Anna, please don’t leave me. You’re all I have right now.”
“I won’t leave you,” I promised, starting the car. “I swear.”
In the lavish bathroom of the hotel we checked into, Sophie stood under the shower, scrubbing her skin raw. Steam filled the room as I waited anxiously outside.
“Sophie?” I called through the door. “Sophie, you’ve been in there for almost an hour. Are you okay?”
When there was no response except for the sound of running water, I pushed the door open. Through the glass shower door, I could see her scrubbing manically at her arms and neck, her skin an alarming shade of red.
“Sophie! Stop!” I rushed forward, yanking open the shower door and reaching for the faucet. The water was scalding hot. “Jesus Christ!
She fought me, trying to turn the water back on. “No! I’m not clean yet! I can still feel them!”
1/2
Chapter 182
“Sophie, enough!” 1 grabbed if wrists, pulling her out of the shower Youre hurting yourself Look at your skin
She collapsed against me, solling uncontrollably as I wrapped her in a plush hotel bathroke. I just want to feet clean again; dee whispered.
Back in the hotel room, 1 gently toweled Sophie’s hair, careful not to make any sudden movements.
Suddenly, she grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin. Anna, this is all Victoria’s fault! All of it! I was raped, your fare was disfigured, and she gets to walk away unscathed? All because she’s fous of Summer and wanted revenge: Why are we paying the price for her war?*
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